‘Business Bubble’ to be created at Spalding Library

A ‘Business Bubble’ is to be created at Spalding Library through government funding.

Lincolnshire County Council has been awarded £211,200 to provide confidential workspaces equipped with modern technologies that small and start up businesses can utilise.

Thanks to the funding by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports, delivered by Arts Council England, one will be in Lincoln and one in Spalding Library’s Victoria Street hub.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The drop-in workspaces will be created for small businesses and start-ups. Kitted out with acoustic booths and modern technology, these will offer flexible and confidential space to work from as and when they need to.

“Businesses using the bubbles will also be able to use the libraries as a registered business address, and a ‘poste restante’ service will be available.

“At Spalding Library, the Business Bubble will also provide more opportunities for us to work with local education providers to address employability and digital skills shortages in the area.”

The funding is part of the Government’s £48m Cultural Investment Fund (CIF), which has provided grants to more than 60 galleries, museums, libraries and cultural venues across the country to improve access to the arts, safeguard cultural assets for future generations, and power economic growth through culture.

Coun Lindsey Cawrey, executive member for culture and heritage at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We’re always looking at ways to develop the range of services and facilities offered by the library service to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our residents.

“By transforming areas of our Lincoln and Spalding Libraries in this way, we’re enhancing the value and role of the library service, extending the benefits of local libraries to small business and supporting them at a time when Lincolnshire is emerging from the pandemic into a new economic landscape.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive Officer, Arts Council England, said: “Our artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries are experts in making villages, towns and cities better places to live, work, visit or play.

“This investment means they’ll be able to help more people across England to lead happier, more creative lives”